Air cooled ozonator



March 19; 1935.

H. L. BUENO AIR CQOLED OZONATOR Filed Aug. 2, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 VENTOR .Humber l. Bwmo WW-QM ATTORNEY 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 w M a R m a J C 7 u 7 m 1 r! M 4, WW

H. L. BUENO AIR COOLEYD ozomwon Filed Aug. 2. 1950 March 19, 1935.

Patented Mar. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AIR COOLED OZONATOR Application August 2,

'5 Claims.

My invention relates to ozonators of the type in which a current of air or oxygen is subjected to the direct action of a high tension electric discharge taking place between terminals of appropriate form, which are located in the path of the air current or of the oxygen current or a mixture of both.

More particularly stated my invention comprehends an ozonator with all of its parts brought together in the form of a single machine of compact form and in which are combined together a number of advantageous features.

Among the objectors of my invention are the following 1. To provide a high tension terminal in the form of a metallic cylinder of suitable form to be air-cooled.

2. To use metal terminals of appropriate form as a means for subjecting the current of air or oxygen or a mixture of both to the high tension electric discharge.

3. To enable the machine to be readily and quickly adjustable varying outputs of ozone.

4. To provide for thorough dehydration of the current of air as the same travels toward the electrodes.

5. To provide for reactivation of a charge of dehydrating material, without removing the same from the machine.

6. To provide for effective control of the high tension voltage from the outside of the machine.

7. To thoroughly enclose all such parts as are subject to high tension, and to render said parts inaccessible, in the interest of safety to the operator.

8. To maintain all the external parts of the apparatus at a ground potential. v

9. To locate the secondary winding and its high tension" connection as nearly as practicable in the center of. the apparatus, and to ground one leg of secondary winding upon the metallic framework of the apparatus.

10. To provide various other improvements for promoting the efficiency of the apparatus.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification and in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures.

Figure 1 is a side view looking from right to left in Fig. 2, partly in elevation and partly in section, of my improved ozonator';

Figure 21s a front elevation of the same looking from left to right in Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a top view of the ozonator, and is partly a plan and partly a section;

1930, Serial No. 412,141

(on. col-s2) Figure 4 is a fragmentary section of a pair of the high tension electrodes;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the cylindrical member of insulating material and its distributed conductor, used between the cylindrical high tension terminals for producing displacement currents:

Figure 'l is a diagram of the wiring.

Mounted upon supporting legs 8 is a metallic casing 9. Located within this casing is a dehydration chamber 10 provided with a shelf 11, as indicated more particularly in Figure 1.

Housed within the dehydrating chamber 10 and resting upon the shelf 11 is a mass 12 of dehydratingv material.

This dehydrating material is preferably lime or magnesia, but may be any appropriate hygroscopic substance, such as readily absorbs moisture at room temperatures, and yet gives up its moisture when heated to a moderate degree, preferably less than the temperature of boiling water.

The dehydration chamber 10 is provided with a pocket 13, shown more particularly in Figure 1.-

The casing 9 at its lower front portion is provided with an air inlet 14 and with a screen 15, the latter serving as an air filter, and being carried by a face plate 16, as indicated more particularly in Figure 2.

The face plate 16 is detachably held in position by screws 1'7, and may be removed at any time.

Mounted within the pocket 13 are electric heaters 18 of any approved form. The purpose of these heaters is to heat air passing in through the air inlet 14, not continuously but at intervals, as hereinafter described.

Another face plate 19 carries a pane of glass 20, held in place by screws 21 and serving as an. observation window. This feature is not essential to my invention, however, and may be omitted.

An air pipe 22 extends into the top of the de hydration chamber 10, and is provided with an end portion 23 extending up through the metallic bottom of the air chamber 6'? of the lowermost tray.

Mounted upon the dehydration chamber 10 is a blower 24, used occasionally or at intervals, as hereinafter described.

The casing may or may not be provided with a top 25a, as shown in Figure 3. If a top is used it is provided with perforations 25 for facilitating the escape of air and vapor from within the casing, incidental to the action of the blower 24.

A transformer casing 26 is housed within the casing 9, and supported therein by a metallic 5 shelf 27.

The metallic shelf 27, and with it the transformer casing 26, is grounded at 28 upon the casing 9.

Located within the transformer casing 26 is a high tension transformer secondary winding 29, only one leg of which is grounded upon the casing at 30.

Also located within the transformer casing 26 is a primary winding 31. This primary winding and a transformer core 31a coact with the secondary winding 29, these parts constituting a transformer.

Connected with the primary winding 31 are wires 32, 33, 34, 35. The wires 32 and 35 are connected with the ends of the primary winding, and the wires 33 and 34 are tap wires connected with the primary winding but at points intermediate the ends thereof.

The four wires just mentioned extend through insulators 36, 37, 38, 39. A larger insulator 40 is provided for use with the secondary winding 29.

Connected with the wires 32, 33, 34, 35, is a rotary hand switch 41, provided with a handle 42.

This handle extends outside of the casing, as may be understood from Figures 1 and 2. The operator by grasping the handle 42 and turning the same so operates the switch 41 as to vary the ratio between the primary and the secondary of the transformer in such manner as to decrease or increase the voltage; and naturally the current consumption varies also. As may be understood by inspection of Figure 7 the operator, by actuating the rotary switch 41, can successively cut out different portions of the primary winding 31.

Current for energizing the primary winding 31 is supplied by means of wires43 and 44, which are connected with a socket 45, as indicated in Figure '7. Associated with the socket 45 is a plug 46, this plug being detachable from the socket and connected by wires 47, 48 with a pair of alternating current leads 49, 50.

If alternating current is not otherwise available, it may be obtained from a direct current supply by means of a rotary converter.

The socket 45 is insulated from the casing 9 by means of a bushing 51 of insulating material. The wire 44 is insulated by means of a tube 52 of insulating material as indicated in Figure 7.

An ammeter 62 indicates the current consumption on the different primary taps.

The pilot lamps and switches are mounted upon a face plate 61, shown more particularly in Figure 2.

Mounted upon the top of the casing 9 are a number of trays 63, 64, 65. As these trays are each made up of several parts each denoted by a reference numeral, I do not use any leader lines in connection with the numerals whereby the complete trays are designated. Connections between the trays for air inlet and outlet are made by a connecting pipe 23a, in a similar way as from the casing 9 to the lowermost tray, as above described.

While in this instance I show three trays, the same casing 9 and parts carried thereby may be used with only two trays oreven with a single tray, or with four or more, as conditions may require, and according to the capacity of ozonator.

Each tray is provided with two metallic reservoirs 66 and 67, the reservoir 66 being used for holding and distributing the ozonated air, andv the reservoir 67 serving to supply the air to be ozonated.

The reservoir 66 carries a removable face plate 68 and the reservoir 67 carries a similar face plate 69. These two face plates are in practice considered as front and rear face plates for the tray.

The trays are preferably disposed flat upon the top of the casing, and when more than one tray is employed they are preferably arranged in superposed relation with the reservoirs 66 and 67 of the respective trays resting directly upon each other and with all the front plates 68 facing in the direction of the front of the machine and all the rear plates 69 facing toward the rear of the machine.

Extending from each reservoir 66 to the corre sponding reservoir 67 and arranged parallel with each other are a number of air cooled electrodes 70, of the form indicated more particularly in Figure 4. Each electrode 70 has the general proximate form of a cylinder, as indicated in Figure 4, and is provided atits ends with necks '71 and 72, extending through openings in the walls of the reservoirs 66 and 67, so as to fit the same tightly. The several spindles 70 thus cooperate to hold the reservoirs together in spaced relation so that the whole constitutes an entity or "tray" readily handlable as such, and any desired number of which may be mounted upon the casing 9 in grounded connection with each other and with the casing.

Each electrode '70 is provided externally with ribs '73, (more appropriately called fins) and thus has a corrugated external surface, which gives a large radiation area for the heat.

Detachably fitted into each cylindrical electrode '70 is an insulating member 74, of substantially cylindrical form. In the particular instance here illustrated this cylindrical member is made of Pyrex glass. Thus it is heat resisting, and is not liable to crack or break in use. The insulating cylinder 74 is provided with an end portion 75, the diameter of which is slightly greater than the general diameter of the cylinder.

The cylinder 74 carries a covering 76 of copper foil, extending from the enlarged portion 75 nearly to the opposite end of the cylinder, the total length of this member of copper foil being substantially equal to the total length of the cylindrical electrode 70.

The parts are so formed and arranged that the cylindrical member 74, carrying its foil cover 76, fits neatly but detachably into the cylindrical electrode 70, so that the foil covered or jacket 76 can be brought practically into contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical electrode '70.

Fitted loosely into the cylindrical electrode 70 and detachable relatively thereto is a high tension electrode 77, mating the high tension cylindrical electrode 70 above described. This electrode 7'7 is spaced equidistant from all portions of the inside of the insulating member 74.

This electrode 77 is made of aluminum, and is in-the form of a solid cylinder, as may be understood'from Figure 5.

The electrode 77 carries a pair of end stems 78, 78, each provided with a contact ball 79, preferably integral with it.

The electrode 77 also carries a number of supporting feet 80, in the form of little buttons disposed in pairs and so arranged as to engage the inner surface of the cylindrical insulating member 74, and to support the electrode 77 concentrically therein, as indicated in Figures 4 and 5. Each reservoir 68 is provided with a discharge I pipe 81, the purpose of which is to enable the contents of the reservoir to be drawn off continuously by means of an air pump or a blower, and thus distributed, as required.

Each reservoir 67 carries two large insulators 82 and 83, the form of which may be understood from Figures land 8.

The insulator 83 is merely a supporting post of insulating material, but the insulator 82 is tubular, and extending through it is a rod 84 of metal, serving as a conductor. A wire 85 extends from this rod-to the adjacent end of the high tension secondary 29.

, Housed within each reservoir 67 and supported upon the insulators 82 and 83 thereof, is a high tension bar 86, carrying a number of spring clips 87, serving as contact members and adapted to be detachably engaged by the contact balls 79,

. as may be understood from Figures 3 and 4.

The bar 86 is held in a fixed position upon the insulators 82 and 83 and the clip contacts 87 are so disposed thereon as to stand substantially axially aligned with the insulating members 74 respectively and in such relation that whenever any one of the electrodes 77 is slid lengthwise into its supporting insulating tube. 74 its rear end ball 79 will enter directly into snap engagement with one of the clip contacts so that thus the elecrode is at once placed in operative position with respect to its mate and connected in the circuit.

Any one of the electrodes 77 may be electrically disconnected by simply sliding it forward out o engagement with its clip contact.

The front end balls 79 constitute a convenient finger grip by which to handle the electrode for sliding it into and out of engagement with the clip contacts.

A cylindrical air gap 88, indicated more particularly in Figure 4, encircles the solid cylindrical electrode 77, and constitutes the only air gap between the high tension electrodes. All of the air moving from reservoir 67 to reservoir 66 must traverse these cylindrical air gaps.

The high tension insulator 82 carried by each reservoir 67 extends downwardly through the bottom of this reservoir to a distance approximating one-half of the depth of the reservoir. This afiords good insulation as between the rod 84, carried by the insulator, and the casing 9 into which the lower end of this insulator extends, as may be understood from Figure l, and also renders it easy to make connection from one reservoir 67 to another reservoir of the same kind resting upon its top, as may be understood from Figure 1. 1

With the apparatus here illustrated the single casing 9 and parts therein contained may be used for energizing one, two or three trays, as the case may be, each tray comprising four spark gaps,

with all accessories thereof complete, as may be understood from Figure 3.

Whenever the high tension transformer is thrown into action, the primary currents for energizing it are controlled by the rotary switch 41 as above described, the operator for this purpose simply turning the handle 42 back and forth as required, and thus varying the amount of current supplied to the primary winding 31. This varies the ratio of transformation for the high tension transformer, and in so doing varies the potential and the amperage of the high tension circuit.

The primary circuit may be traced as follows:--

Lead 49, wire 47, external contact surface of plug 46, outer portion of socket 45, wire 43, primary winding 31, one or more of wires 33, 34, to switch 41. wire -44 to inner contact of socket 45 and plug 46, through wire 48 to lead 50, thence to source of electrical supply and back to lead 49. The secondary circuit may be traced as follows:--

Secondary winding 29, wire 85, rod 84 through insulator 82 to high tension bar 86, through spring clips 79 and adjacent necks 78 to high tension electrodes 77; and thence in the form of brush discharges and displacement currents through the wall of the cylindrical glass member 74 to its copper foil jacket 76, cylindrical air cooled electrode 70, walls of reservoirs 66 and 67 to metallic casing 9, and thence to connection 39 and back to secondary winding 29.

It will be noted that the connection 30, serving as a ground for the secondary 29, maintains one terminal of this secondary at zero or ground potential, thereby promoting safety to all persons handling or coming into contact with the casing 9. It will also be noted that the high potential winding 29 is at all times and throughout its entire length enclosed in a metallic covering which electrode 70, because of its direct metallic connection with the reservoirs 66 and 67 and thus with the casing 9, is always practically at zero or ground potential.

There is always a free circulation of air around the cylindrical high tension electrodes 70, and because of the ribbed or corrugated external surfaces of these electrodes this circulation of air around them keeps them comparatively cool. Because they are thus kept cool, their efliciency as high tension electrodes is greatly increased. This is particularly true because, if they were unduly heated, the air passing through them might become affected by the fixation of nitrogen, which should be avoided.

It is a fact that in a strongly heated current of air there is a marked tendency toward the formation of nitrogen compounds, including nitrous oxide, (NO), and if any water vapor be present, even nitric acid, (HNOa) And there can be not doubt that if such current of air is subjected also to influences which develop ozone, (0a), or oxygen in its nascent state, the formation of said nitrogen compounds and others of their kind is greatly stimulated and increased. Therefore, for the purpose of producing ozone or ozonated air as herein contemplated, it is highly desirable that the high tension spark gaps and parts immediately adjacent thereto be maintained as cool as practicable.

By making the high tension electrode 70 of aluminum, and giving it the form illustrated and above described, it may be maintained relatively cool at all times while in action. Theozonated air, delivered from a spark gap of the kind contemplated, is relatively free from the above mentioned undesirable nitrogen compounds, and is relatively-pure and sweet, so that it may be breathed or otherwise used, freely and safely.

In order to further avoid the formation of undesirable compounds it is desirable that the air to be ozonated shall be as far as practicable free from moisture or aqueous vapor. It is on this account that I cause the air to pass through the charge of dehydrating material 12. As the air, passing inwardly through the opening 14 and screen 15, indicated in Figures 1 and-2, is drawn through the mass of dehydrating material 12, any moisture contained in the air is thereby removed and absorbed, or otherwise held, by the dehydrating material. The air is thus rendered free of aqueous vapor, before reaching the spark gap. During this time the blower 24 is not in action, and the electrical heaters 18 are also idle. The air next passes up through the pipe 22 and into the receptacle 6'7. Thence it passes, in the form of currents parallel with each other, through all of the cylindrical spark gaps. That is, it passes between each electrode 7'7 on the one hand (see Figure 4) and on the other through the cylindrical insulating member '74, its cylindrical copper jacket '72 and the substantially cylindrical elec trode '70.

Owing to the presence of the insulating cylindrical member 74, the high tension currents do not produce sparks of the ordinary kind. They set up displacement currents, passing directly through the insulating member '74, and which are very efflcient in ozonating the currents of air, and in conserving the power required. They also serve to keep down excess of heat, and thus further promote the advantages above mentioned, regarding the purity of the ozonated air as produced.

The ozonated air passes into the reservoir 66, from which it is withdrawn through the pipe 81 by means of an appropriate blower or air pump, as above described.

The electrode 70 is readily removed and replaced, as may be understood from Figures 3 and 4, by pulling the necks '71 and '72 out of their openings in the reservoirs 66 and 6'7.

The cylindrical insulating member '74, carrying its jacket of copper, may be withdrawn by shifting it to the left according to Figure 4. It may carry with it the electrode '77, which is disengaged from the high tension bar by pulling the ball contact 79 out of engagement with the spring clip 8'7. For this purpose the front plate 68 may be removed.

Any one or more of the spark gaps complete as a unit can be removed and replaced at any time, and any number of trays, commensurate with the degree of power required for the apparatus, may be employed.

Whenever the mass of dehydrating material 12 becomes used up, by saturation or otherwise, it is revitalized without removing it-from the container 9. For this purpose the flow of air through the spark gaps is stopped, the transformer is de-energized, the blower 24 is thrown into action by closing the switch 58, and the electrical heaters 18 are similarly energized by closing the switch 5'7. Thus hot air is drawn through the dehydrating material, and dehydrating material is thoroughly dried out and revitalized. This done, the switches 57 and 58 are again opened, and the apparatus is ready for further service in ozonating air.

The operation of my device may be readily understood from the foregoing description.

The various parts being formed and arranged as illustrated in the drawing and above described, the operator by using the switches 41, 5'7 and 58 employs the apparatus for the purposes above set forth.

If the dehydrating material needs to be dried out, the operator simply closes the switches 5'7 and 58. Otherwise, he simply grasps the handle throttle, he turns on the requisite amount of electric power. drawn oil through the pipe 81, and delivered wherever it is required.

I do not limit myself to the precise mechanism shown, as variations may be made'therein without departing from my invention, the scope of which is commensurate with my claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:'

1. In an ozonator, the combination of a metallic casing, a high tension transformer housed within said casing at one side thereof and having a high tension secondary winding one end of which is electrically connected with the metal of the casing so that all metal parts of the casing structure are of that polarity, a pair of metallic reservoirs mounted with the casing one at the mentioned side of the casing adjacent to said high tension transformer and the other at the opposite side of the casing spaced away from the first reservoir, a high tension conductor insulated from the casing extending from the remaining end of the high tension secondary winding and into the first mentioned reservoir, a metallic tube extending across the casing in the space'between said two reservoirs being grounded with said reservoirs and constituting an air conduit from the first reservoir to the second reservoir, a high tension electrode extending longitudinally through said metallic tube but spaced therefrom so as to leave a cylindrical air gap between itself and the inner surface of said tube, said electrode and said high tension conductor having parts disposed within the first reservoir co-operative to provide snap en gagement by which said electrode is releasably' electrically connected with said conductor, and

said second reservoir having a removable face plate removable to give access to said electrode for inserting or removing said electrode into or out of snap engagement with said high tension conductor.

2. In an ozonator, a pair pf reservoirs spaced apart one adapted to receive air to be ozonated and the other to receive the ozonated air, a tubular electrode extending between said reservoirs and connected therewith providing an air passage between said reservoirs, a high tension conductor positioned in one of said reservoirs including a spring clip at the adjacent end of said tubular electrode, a second electrode extending longitudinally through said tubular electrode having one of its ends constructed and arranged to be received and releasably held by snap action in said spring clip when saidsecond electrode is moved longitudinally of the first electrode, the opposite end of the second mentioned electrode being accessible from within the second reservoir, and said second reservoir having a removable face plate removable to give access into said second reservoir for the insertion or removal of said second electrode.

3. An ozonator mechanism comprising a sup- The ozonated air is continuously 10 42 of the switch 41, and using this switch as a 1 port, a plurality of trays mounted upon said sup port superposed one upon the other, each of said trays including two reservoirs, one for receiving air to be ozonated and the other for receiving ozonated air from the first, said trays being arranged so that the reservoirs thereof which receive air to be ozonated stand one above the other and so that the reservoirs which-receive ozonated air also stand one above the other, the several reservoirs for receiving air to be ozonated being formed with an air passage-way communicatin between them and one thereof being formed with an opening to receive air to be ozonated, high tension conductors arranged one in one reservoir of each tray electrically connected with each other andwith one side of a suitable source, each of said trays also including a. tubular electrode elec trically connected with the opposite side of the source and extending between and mechanically connecting together the two reservoirs of that tray'and providing an air passage within itself between said two reservoirs, each of said trays also including an inner electrode extending in insulated relation through said tubular electrode from one reservoir to the other one end of said inner electrode having snap electrical engagement with the mentioned high tension conductor present in one reservoir of the given tray so as to be readily releasable therefrom, and the remaining reservoir of each tray having a removable wall portion to give access thereinto and to the adjacent end of the inner electrode.

4. An ozonator mechanism comprising a main casing having a passage by which air may be delivered therefrom for treatment, a plurality of detachable and interchangeable trays mounted upon the casing side by side each comprising an air supply reservoir and an air receiving reservoir said two reservoirs being spaced apart and having an air ozonating tube extending between them through which air to be treated may flow from the supply reservoir to the receiving reservoir while being treated within said tube, the supply reservoir of one tray having an air-intake opening at one side thereof disposed to mate with and receive air from said passage of the casing, said supply reservoir also having an air outlet opening at the opposite side thereof, the supply reservoir of another tray having an air intake opening disposed to mate with and receive air from the mentioned outlet opening of the supply reservoir of the first tray and adapted, if the first tray be omitted, to mate with and receive air irom said passage of the casing, and the receiving reservoirs of said trays each having an opening through which the treated air may be discharged therefrom.

5. In an ozonator,'a pair of reservoirs spaced apart one adapted to receive air to be ozonated and the other to receive the ozonated air, a tubular electrode extending between said reservoirs and connected therewith providing an air passage between said reservoirs, a high tension conductor positioned in one of said reservoirs including a contact making device at the adjacent end of said tubular electrodes, a second electrode positioned within said tubular electrode intended for movement longitudinally of said tubular electrode so that one end of the second electrode will move into and out of electrical engagement with said contact making device, said mentioned end of the second electrode and said contact making device being constructed to'be co-operative to hold said second electrode electrically connected with said conductors when said second electrode is moved through the first conductors and against said contact making device, the opposite end of the second mentioned electrode being accessible from within the second reservoir, and said second reservoir having a removable face plate removable to give access into said second reservoir-for the insertion or removal of said second electrode.

HUIVIBERT L. BUENO. 

